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Defoe appointed Woking manager


cluffy said:
Woking are top of the form table in their league
Presumably someone nicked their last manager?
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He was sacked after a bad run (Neil Ardley).

The upturn in form came about under the caretaker manager and assistant who have been kept on by the club as part of Defoe and Brace’s team.
 
Waverley said:
We (the Woking we bit of me not the SAFC we) got a cracking 20 games out of Billy Knott on loan about 15 years ago. Highlight of his career probably, that spell.
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What ever happened to him (Billy Knott)? Must admit I thought he was going to make it with us.
 
The Cabbage said:
I still blame the snake for that. Something went on there. Seem to recall Defoe suggesting that on socials in the aftermath. Think it was when David Preece was talking about his experience with him. Seemed like his personal skills left a lot to be desired.
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I'm sure Defoe said in an interview afterwards that he agreed he wouldn't have to train every day as he wasn't up to it, but when Neil came in he wasn't having it.

Can't find that exact quote but there's a bit here.
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So I went to Sunderland and Alex Neil came in and to be totally honest, what I was promised just never happened. I think the manager probably just went against everything the people upstairs had been telling me. I remember training and the boys had played on the Saturday, we came in on the Monday for a little game, 5-v-5, and it was sort of on my mind anyway because of the way my body was feeling. When you're not in the team and you're just training, you train harder than when you're in the team. Mentally it was tough for me, I picked up a hamstring [injury] and I was getting frustrated with all the niggles and stuff, my achilles. I was restricted anyway and then just thinking, I dunno if I can do this.
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HorsePills said:
I'm sure Defoe said in an interview afterwards that he agreed he wouldn't have to train every day as he wasn't up to it, but when Neil came in he wasn't having it.

Can't find that exact quote but there's a bit here.
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During Neil's short tenure I got the impression that there was a big disagreement between him and the Club over who was running he team. I think he saw himself as an old style football manager and not a head coach and that he wasn't at all happy working with a Director of Football who had any real influence .

At the time Jermain's return to the Club was attributed to Speakman who it seems offered the player certain conditions because of his age. I suspect that the idea was that Jermain could be used as a super sub in the way in which Kevin Phillips had successfully been by several clubs towards the end of his career. Neil who became Head Coach only days after Jermain had been signed up probably didn't think much of that idea at all and wasn't prepared to treat Jermain any differently from the other players.

Given the abrupt nature of Neils departure a few months later I suspect that he and Speakman didn't see eye to eye for much of the time he was at SAFC. It's unlikely that they had got off to the best of starts . It's always puzzled me why Neil took the job in the first place if he was so unwilling to accept a Head Coach role.
 
First game in charge is Eastleigh at home on Good Friday.

Can’t make that but tempted by Braintree away on Easter Monday.

(Which is the first time I’ve ever used the term ‘tempted by Braintree’ in a sentence in all my long years)
 
Tony Towers Fanclub said:
First game in charge is Eastleigh at home on Good Friday.

Can’t make that but tempted by Braintree away on Easter Monday.

(Which is the first time I’ve ever used the term ‘tempted by Braintree’ in a sentence in all my long years)
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I've signed up with Woking FC so I might go along this Friday if we've nowt else on. Think it's home to Eastleigh perhaps.

EDIT: You mentioned Eastleigh in your message..oops!
 
Hyltons finest said:
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Woking Football Club is pleased to confirm the appointment of Jermain Defoe as the club’s new Manager.

Defoe joins the club following a distinguished playing career at the highest levels of the game and has built coaching experience through his work within the academy structure at Tottenham Hotspur and in a player-coach role at Rangers FC as part of Steven Gerrard’s coaching staff.

Following a detailed recruitment process, the club identified Defoe as the candidate whose values, leadership style and footballing philosophy best aligned with its long-term vision.

Club Chairman Todd Johnson said:

“Jermain’s achievements as a player speak for themselves, but what stood out to us during the process was how he sees the game, how he drives standards, and his approach to leadership and player development.

“We have a clear plan for where we want to go as a club, and we believe Jermain is the right person to build on the strong foundations already in place and help take us forward in the next phase of that journey.”

Director of Football Jody Brown added:

“Jermain’s love of the game, his determination to succeed and his alignment with our preferred playing philosophy were important.

“These are shared values in terms of the working environment, player development, and high-performance culture.

“He has a real appreciation for the club, the staff, the players, and what we’re building here.”

Jermain Defoe:

“Woking is a historic club with huge potential, and I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting project. I can’t wait to get started.”

Coaching Team:

Defoe will be supported by Assistant Coach Paul Bracewell, who joins the club with extensive experience, including roles at Fulham FC, Sunderland AFC and Halifax Town AFC.

He also enjoyed a long and successful playing career, including winning a league title with Everton.

We are pleased to confirm that Craig Ross and Jake Hyde will continue to play important roles within the club’s coaching structure moving forward, following their outstanding work in the interim period.

Additional Background:

Off the pitch, Jermain Defoe is widely admired across the football world for his character and compassion, including the close bond he formed with Bradley Lowery that touched fans throughout the game.

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his charitable work through the Jermain Defoe Foundation, which supports vulnerable children in Saint Lucia, and dedicated the honour to Bradley.

The interim coaching team of Craig Ross, Jake Hyde and Dale Gorman will continue to take charge of the team through Tuesday night’s fixture against Altrincham FC.

The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Craig, Jake and Dale for the outstanding job they have done during this period and looks forward to their continued contribution moving forward.

Jermain Defoe will take part in an introductory media session at 10:30AM on Wednesday, 1st April in the Cardinal Bar at the Laithwaite Community Stadium, followed by further media interview opportunities
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Top bloke. Wish him all the luck
 
Might go along, 6 miles south of Guildford, remember when they had a team, good team in the Southern League, Clive Walker also a Woking player.
Last live match I went to was the Fulham Sunderland cup game with Gus in charge so overdue for a bit of live action. No chance of getting away tickets now. HTL.
 
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